Abstract

The Eurocodes are standards for structural design to be accepted inmost European countries. The first are now receiving final technical approval by national authorities. One of these is EN 1994-1-1 Eurocode 4 Design of composite steel and concrete structures: Part 1.1 General rules and rules for buildings. An overview of this standard is presented, including changes from published drafts. Eurocode 4 necessarily depends on the corresponding documents for concrete structures and steel structures but sometimes gives its own rules for concrete and steel elements. The reasons are explained. All Eurocodes will be used with a common standard giving the basis for design and its rules for combination of loads are described. These influence comparisons with national standards and therefore calibration. Comment is made on the use of EN 1994-1-1 for simply supported beams, as these are the commonest composite members calculated in design.